Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, involves a misalignment of the joints connecting your jawbone to your skull. This misalignment may result in headache, earache, jaw pain, swelling and clicking noises in your jaw, and it may affect your ability to fully open or close your mouth. A TMJ disorder may also interfere with biting, chewing or talking. One cause of TMJ is osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis in which cartilage protecting your joints breaks down. The dietary supplement glucosamine may help ease the symptoms of TMJ caused by osteoarthritis. However, consult with your health care provider before adding any supplement to your diet.
Background
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance in your body and functions as a building block for molecules that synthesize and maintain cartilage. No food sources supply glucosamine to your diet, but the exoskeletons of shellfish are rich in this molecule, and these shells are the origin of glucosamine supplements. According to MedlinePlus, symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip and spine may improve when you supplement with glucosamine on daily basis for several weeks. While the mechanism of action for this improvement is unclear, glucosamine may help prevent cartilage from breaking down and may help build new cartilage. Because of its effect on some types of osteoarthritis, glucosamine may relieve symptoms of TMJ as well.
Evidence
In the June 2001 issue of "Journal of Rheumatology," researchers compared the effect of glucosamine to that of ibuprofen in study subjects with TMJ osteoarthritis. Study subjects received either 1,500 mg of glucosamine or 1,200 mg of ibuprofen daily for three months. Both groups showed an equivalent improvement in TMJ pain, and the study subjects in the glucosamine group noted the added benefit of continued pain relief for four weeks after they stopped supplementation.
Contraindications
Although glucosamine is generally considered safe, several characteristics may make this supplement an unacceptable treatment choice for your TMJ osteoarthritis. Because shellfish is the source of supplemental glucosamine, you may suffer an adverse reaction if you are allergic to crustaceans. Also, glucosamine is chemically related to the anticoagulant heparin, and it may increase the effects of medications that work to thin your blood, such as warfarin. Finally, some preparations of glucosamine supplements may include excessive sodium or potassium if you are limiting your intake of these nutrients. Any of these conditions are contraindicated for supplementing with glucosamine for TMJ.
Other Considerations
Glucosamine supplements for easing the symptoms of osteoarthritis, such as in TMJ, may not show an effect until you have taken them for 4 to 8 weeks. Common mild side effects of glucosamine supplementation include gastric upset, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea and constipation. Check with your doctor if you experience severe side effects from taking glucosamine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; TMJ Disorders; March 2009
- MedlinePlus; Glucosamine Sulfate; January 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Glucosamine; June 2009
- "Journal of Rheumatology"; Evaluation of Glucosamine Sulfate Compared to Ibuprofen for the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Double Blind Controlled 3 Month Clinical Trial; N. Thie, et al.; June 2001
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